Is it really that bad?

[Visinedrops]

Housing markets are lowering, banks are failing, stock prices are plummeting, people are losing their jobs, food industry is taking a hit, and the automotive industry in this country has been on the verge of collapse for quite some time...but is it really that bad?

For some reason, when Clinton and GW were in office, it was difficult for me to keep up on my bills, let alone buy anything or go out very often, but for some reason I've got extra money in the bank and in my pocket.

My dad moved from an apartment paying $550 a month in rent to the house he's in now paying $795 a month. Last summer he lost his $14.80/hr full time job, and picked up a $10.90/hr part-time job. He's able to pay his bills, his rent, buy food, and keep gas and insurance in and on (respectively) his car.

So, is it really that bad? Not if you're a normal person with normal living habits. If you've dumped most of your money into high-risk bonds, it's a problem. If you've pulled out a loan on a $400,000 house, which is now worth somewhere in the vicinity of $220,000 it's a problem. If you live in a major city, working for a corporate conglomerate, it's a problem.

My opinion, this recession is only a problem for the people who make it a problem for themselves. After reading through a BUNCH of posts on here for my research, I haven't found anyone talking much about how this recession has actually affected them.

That's because everyone here knows how to live with what they have. We, x-colonists, have our wits about us, and we will be able to overcome everything that is thrown at us. You spend less at the grocery store but buy better food. You cook more, instead of going out. You regulate your bills by using your utilities in a conservative manner.

I know that this recession will turn into a depression, and I also know that the current financial situations we find ourselves in will eventually become a burden to us, but the simple fact that nobody here is willing to let it get the best of them shows that our government can't control everyone.

-"The things you own, end up owning you" - Tyler Durden, Fight Club.

[cudalyon]

I find myself spending the same amount of money now as I did in the past, but things have changed. In the past, I was spending it on who knows what, but now it seems that everything that I spend money on is something to help me out in the longrun. Building a chicken coop and buying chickens, bought a tractor and equipment to farm with. I bought a new house with 7 acres of land so I can have a big garden and raise some chickens. Some how, the money is still the same. We lived in the city before, which made us look for quality entertainment. We would go out to eat several times a week, and it was always between $30 to $50 a pop. At 3 times a week for a month, that is 12 times per month with an average of $40 a shot that is $480 a month. My tractor payment is less than $300. I am saving $190 per month by buying a tractor. My house payment in the Big City was $1400 per month. Now it is less than $700. That totals up to be around $900 per month by buying a new house with land and buying a tractor. This is CRAZY!

[Lostinoz]

Very nice post!

We chose not to have credit cards and actually bought a house we could afford. We do cook from scratch and wear extra clothes or less clothes depending on warmth factor, etc.

I think what irritates me the most is that those of us who HAVE been responsible and used common sense, now have to bailout the ones who did not. :mad:

As for the recession affecting us directly, I can say that my work has slowed down, basically cut in half due to hospitals not being able to pay their bills on time. My husband's work is still doing okay and he is still getting overtime, so that makes up for my loss of wages.

I have noticed higher prices in the grocery store and we are making adjustments in that area.

It is the ones with the entitlement attitude that worries me the most about this recession/depression. They would not think twice about taking everything we have worked so hard to obtain, though meager, it is still ours and paid for. We already have to run people off of our property who stop and pick up our pecans and pick our strawberries. I don't even want to imagine what it will be like when folks actually ARE hungry and hurting.

The only other problem we have had is that we cannot close our 401k account. The only option we had was to reduce the amount contributed. We have lost approximately 5% and we are expecting nothing from it when all is said and done. :(

I do worry about my elderly parents and am making plans to help support them. Other than that, it is just life as usual.

[mdogspot]

Very nice post!

I think what irritates me the most is that those of us who HAVE been responsible and used common sense, now have to bailout the ones who did not. :mad

When we bought our place 5yrs ago I was told I could be LENT 275,000 bucks. WTF!! Let all the stupid people,banks go bankrupt. Then send all the polititions to the Penn!!!!! It took me about 5 seconds to realize I could not afford a 275,000 dollar mortgage. I guess common sense is not that common.

[Visinedrops]

I recall an old commercial about a guy standing there with a huge smile on his face describing the fancy house he has, the new car, and a membership to the local golf club, he then asks, "How do I do it? I'm in debt up to my eyeballs". [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn5EP9StlVA"]HERE[/ame]

We struggle every day simply to make our way through life, but those with the money continue to have the money, and the poor must beg, borrow, cheat, and steal. It's hard to continue this struggle knowing that eventually, the world will come by and take everything you've got.

We have crime everywhere, with people killing other people over nothing, and it's very depressing. The homeless man on the street, simply trying to get something to eat, begging on his knees as men and women in suits walk by, scoff, and even push him away, as if they're throwing him in the mud. Nobody seems to see it, even though it's obvious what's happening, but it seems to be simply the way the world has become; it's what our leaders have done.

You can't stand up for what you believe in anymore, so you have to follow all the other people, living the life, following the laws. Those with the most money can buy themselves out of the restraints of the law binding them, like O.J. Simpson did with his high-priced lawyers.

I simply want to live my life with the freedom I'm entitled to as a human being, as a person, and as a member of society. (Synopsis of the song "The Life")

[TheUnboundOne]

Visinedrops,

The first two weeks of February, I thought that the recession was coming home to roost, since I and my fellow full-time employees at my store were cut about 4 hours a week for two weeks. But things returned to normal and seem to be plugging along like normal for now.

The good thing about selling food and groceries (along with other retail items) is that it will only go out of business 24 hours after everything else goes.

Still, I know that hyper-inflation is sure to come somewhere down the line with these latest bailouts, so I'm keeping my feelers out in all directions for alternative prospects and I am still maintaining my prepping activities. I hope I can move out of the city sometime within the year and have a garden and maybe small livestock so I can do like Cudalyon and save even more money, or even make more by selling the surplus.

You are correct. People can and do both survive and thrive despite recessions, depressions, inflation, stagnation, stagflation, and hyperinflation, if they know the world around them and how to use the things the world offers to optimum advantage.

While I am pessimistic about the world around me for the time being, I am generally optimistic of my ability to cope with it and I am growing in confidence every day as I read, learn, and do a little bit more.

[TheUnboundOne]

Visinedrops,

What are the lyrics of the song "The Life" and who did it? Have you got a video? I'm Googling the title and come up with several possibilities.

[Visinedrops]

"The Life" was written in the spring of 2007 by me. I do not have a video yet, because I have yet to find the right things to coincide with the overall feeling of the video, and the mental images it is intended to portray.

Lyrics can be read in a previous post HERE.

[herbalpagan]

We got out of the city, got rid of the McMansion and started living simply. We are building our infrastructue now instead of eating out. We're saving money, have everything we need and are comfortable. Same income.
Being prepared rocks!:)

[Visinedrops]

We got out of the city, got rid of the McMansion and started living simply. We are building our infrastructue now instead of eating out. We're saving money, have everything we need and are comfortable. Same income.
Being prepared rocks!:)

Glad to hear about you getting out of the city. I've tried to live close to town, and I can never get used to it...too much activity all the time.

When people are finally able to be happy with what they've got, without having to add to it, then they can finally understand what the American dream is all about. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

[beebopcop]

We were informed this week of a twenty percent budget shortfall at the town where I'm a cop. So far this means that the part timers will not get any work and we will not get any extra time off for that reason. No complaints, better than being on short time or without a job. We have also been told that if we haven't bought it, in reference to equipment, don't plan on buying it.
I was also told todat that our Harris Teeter grocery store and our two Rite Aid drugs stores will be closing in the Spring but I haven't varified this yet. It looks to me like the recession/depression is coming to small town, USA.
I cannot close my 401k, but I am working frantically to draw what money I have in it out. I fill likes its a matter of time before they tell people that they can't have it at all.
bbc